Inside Defiance: Episode 15

Go behind the scenes and into the mythology of "The Cord and the Ax."

Amanda and Kenya's mother abandoned them during the Pale Wars, when Votan troops stormed the island of Manhattan. The Rosewater sisters managed to escape and from that time on, Amanda raised Kenya the best she could. Despite her efforts, Kenya rebelled, often selling herself for travelling money. This is what eventually led Kenya to the job at the NeedWant, much to her sister's chagrin.

Doc Yewll has been trying to atone for her sins ever since she came to Defiance. It's been hunted at that she was complict in a series of atrocities during the Pale Wars. What kind of deal with the devil did Yewll make with Pottinger - and what is he after?

Those Russian nesting dolls (the ones Amanda's hiding her Adreno stash in) once sat on her desk in the mayor's office. Also in Amanda's room at the NeedWant is a poster for the band "Hole."

Adreno is a mood enhancer that was popular during the Pale Wars. Its side effects can be dangerous and unpredictable. When used in battle, it can incite a killing frenzy (as seen by Amanda's outburst in this episode). In other forms, it can function as an opiate. The wide range of effects is one of the reasons Adreno has been outlawed.

What were those tendrils that came out of Irisa's mouth? They look similar to the tendrils created by the gold and silver artifacts that were implanted inside her last season. Those artifacts are the keys to accessing the Kaziri, a fabeled lost Votan ship. But what significance to these tendrils have and what's happening to Irisa?

The song that Irzu sings to the mortally wounded Irisa is "Dream of a Casti Bird." Like the Elvis Presley song "Love Me Tender," it's derived from an old Civil War tune called "Aura Lea," with lyrics written during the Pale Wars. Nolan used to sing this song to Irisa when she was just a child (as seen in our minisodes). It was one of the few things that calmed the tormented Irisa.

Jessica Nicols, who plays Bertie, also played Jered the Liberata bartender last year. Jered met a bad end when he was murdered by former mayor Nicky Riordon.

"One of my favorite scenes is when Amanda flies into a rage and beats up a patron at the NeedWant. It was exciting and challenging to learn a fight sequence. And there is something very therapeutic in letting out all the rage we are conditioned as humans to supress....I was exhilirated and exhausted after filming that scene." - Julie Benz (Amanda).

"For one episode, I had to learn a song in Irathient to sing to Irisa. I learned the whole song in an alien language. I was so proud of myself but then the show called and said they changed the song and I had to relearn it in English. I was walking around for months at my school singing this creepy song in a different language that I could not get out of my head. My friends thought I had totally lost it!" - Katie Douglas (Irzu/Young Irisa).

Alak's sense of remorse is unusual for a Castithan. Most Casti criminals go out of their way to publicize their killing, slitting their victim's throats with charge blades and dumping their bodies in public for everyone to see.

Irisa seemingly blew up Berlin's surveillance system with her mind. Up until now, one could argue that Irzu was just a figment of Irisa's imagination. Does Irzu have the power to manipulate the physical world, or did Irisa's subconsciously do something to make this happen?

Space was limited aboard the Arks that brought the Votans to Earth. Even wealthy Castithans like Stahma were only allowed to bring three personal items with them. Stahma chose to bring her family gem, her diary and the telo (a bridal mask) which caused so much trouble on the eve of Christie's wedding.

"The scene with Datak and Doc in a crowded cell is one of my favorites. He gives Doc some powder to help her with the pain of losing her finger. Doc could refuse the olive branch but doesn't. Datak does most of the talking, but Doc does listen. It's a very quiet, still scene and I felt it was a pivotal one for Doc. There is a small crack in her hard exterior. She doesn't want to be alone. She says "You're a pal" (to Datak) and though she laces everything with sarcasm...she means it." - Trenna Keating (Doc Yewll).

"After seeing the first season, you know what worked and what you could improve on. It's always better getting a second chance. For example, I thought Alak Tarr's blue hair was the bomb but looking back it was very hard to keep up. I was thriled that they wanted it to be one color this time around. I think he looks better for it." -Ryan Reed, Hair Department.